Whitner believes Kaepernick can become “one of the top guys in the NFL.”

NEW ORLEANS – Here’s what Donte Whitner said about Colin Kaepernick after the 49ers beat the saints 31-21.

Q: Do you know Colin Kaepernick?

WHITNER: I do know Colin Kaepernick. I work out with him every morning.

Q: What’s he like?

WHITNER: He’s a quiet guy who has lofty goals for himself. He doesn’t really tell you much of his goals if he doesn’t know you. He’s one of the hardest workers on the football team. He’s one of the first guys in each and every morning – six o’clock, six-thirty. We’re not supposed to be there until nine-thirty, and he’s one of the last ones to leave. Even when he was a second-string guy, he was the first guy into the building. That’s the kind of guy he is and that’s why he’s having the kind of success he’s having. If you ask anyone, he’s one of the fastest guys on the football team also, so it’s no secret to success – hard work.

Q: You mentioned his lofty goals. Has he ever vocalized them to you?

WHITNER: No, but Coach had us turn in goal packets at the beginning of the year. I asked to see Colin’s, and one of his goals was to be a starting quarterback in the NFL. He wants to win a Super Bowl. He wants the Pro Bowl. He wants to be one of the top guys in the National Football League. With his hard work and his skills I believe he can get there.

Q: Everyone filled out a goals packet?

WHITNER: It came from Bo Schembechler when he was at the University of Michigan.

Q: How did you come to see Colin’s goals?

WHITNER: Just before he turned them in to Coach, he was at his locker and I said, “Let me see yours.” We exchanged them.

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